Koru Club - would you pay?

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#583617 19-Feb-2012 22:29

For the record with 6 trips to the US East Coast over 2 years (along with several trips Auckland-Wellington return) I managed to get to Silver and retain it, but as soon as the US trips went away I had nowhere near enough travel to maintain it.

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mckenndk

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#583630 19-Feb-2012 23:27

I got koru membership this year (got it cheaper as I have a Platinum Global Plus) mainly for the double bag (taking the skis down south) and lounge access for my trip to Europe (used lounges in Wellington, Auckland and Hong Kong and will do similar on the return leg).
You can take a guest into the lounge with you if you want to.

The food and drink was ok and wifi was helpful, I spent a day in Auckland before carrying onto Hong Kong so used the shower in Auckland International what was a good refresher before going onto HK.

Your luggage also gets priority so its usually the first to come out.

Dion

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#583800 20-Feb-2012 11:55

I've been a Koru member for almost 20 years now, with various jobs requiring a significant amount of NZ travel (a few overseas trips have been personally funded holidays). I simply couldn't live without it (well - almost). I don't avail myself of the free alcohol very often but food is pretty good, and regional lounges are much more prevalent than in my early days (when it was AKL, WLG, CHC, DND).

But mainly, I hate hanging around airports (and queues) - I turn into a grumpy old man when I walk in the airport door - relieved by stepping into the welcoming Koru Lounge!! It is a very pleasant environment if you have to wait. Priority seating and luggage is good - as is the FastBag service on regional flights. With FastBag, you can take up to two bags straight to the plane on regional flights (15kg max each) and drop them off on the trolley by the plane door - and pick them up again as you walk off the plane, saving having to wait around for the normal baggage pickup.

Ultimately, as others have pointed out, it just depends on your on frame of reference as to whether it represents value for money of not. If I was just flying a few times a year locally it may well not be worth it.

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jpwise

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#584068 20-Feb-2012 18:01

Does the extra bag apply to the new grabaseat fares that don't include a checked bag?
ie: Koru + cheap grabaseat = 1 checked bag?

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freitasm

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#584100 20-Feb-2012 18:46

jpwise: Does the extra bag apply to the new grabaseat fares that don't include a checked bag?
ie: Koru + cheap grabaseat = 1 checked bag?

No. If you buy a "no bag" ticket, it's no bag regardless.

jpwise

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#584102 20-Feb-2012 18:49

Snap, there goes that idea. Thanks for clarifying.

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chiefie

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#584123 20-Feb-2012 19:24

freitasm:
jpwise: Does the extra bag apply to the new grabaseat fares that don't include a checked bag?
ie: Koru + cheap grabaseat = 1 checked bag?

No. If you buy a "no bag" ticket, it's no bag regardless.

Here's the chart on Checked in Baggage with Koru Benefits: http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/checked-in-baggage

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rayonline

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#584148 20-Feb-2012 20:14

Found this, might be of interest - video.
http://tvnz.co.nz/travel-news/high-flying-status-seeker-grabs-himself-gold-3984310

Edit. The airport thing. Do people just hide in the lounges? I find the larger airports quite interesting - the places to find food and places to do shopping ....

Yeah, not sure if it is worth it for me. I don't take luggage and I can only use it with AirNZ flights. If I went to Korea or Singapore, I cannot b/c AirNZ doesn't even go there. I think what would happen is that if I cannot take annual leave promptly when I see a grabaseat special, I will just pay normal fares - with another programme 3x in 2yrs and I get Gold. It's easier than AirNZ. If I could get grabaseat specials, they are so much cheaper that it just comes down to buy Koru or not, probably the latter. I don't find airports stressful, but therapeutic. Prob the reason why I like to travel and fly in planes.

Boeingflyer

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#584171 20-Feb-2012 21:00

rayonline: Found this, might be of interest - video.
http://tvnz.co.nz/travel-news/high-flying-status-seeker-grabs-himself-gold-3984310

He is one of the many that ruined those $1 flights.

oxnsox

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#584192 20-Feb-2012 21:38

rayonline:Edit. The airport thing. Do people just hide in the lounges? I find the larger airports quite interesting - the places to find food and places to do shopping ....

For some years I did 2 - 3 trips a year to destinations in Europe and back, once in the UK onward travel was by other airlines so the longhaul AirNZ bits were never enough to gain (or maintain) a better status than Jade.

Joining Koru Club was, for me, the best option to get me out of the throng or holiday makers waiting in places like Heathrow. On top of others comments, I appreciated the fact I had somewhere that I could leave my bag near a comfortable chair whilst I went for a wee. Somewhere I could sit and read, without rubbing elbows with the folk in the next seat, or being engulfed in their banter.

When you've more than a few hours between connections, having access to a lounge is great. Whilst I wasn't initially keen on paying the Koru fee, I'm glad I did through those years. Only wish I'd taken the 'life-time' membership option they had when I fist signed up. It's not an option they offer now.

shadybrothers

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#584208 20-Feb-2012 22:12

I'm considering the membership as it's fairly cheap. Pity you can't take a guest to the heathrow partner lounge.

Question around the LAX lounge, what do they mean by no access available "when in transit"?
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/international-lounge-directory

this is a slap in the face!

rayonline

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#584222 20-Feb-2012 22:23

That probably means if you are in LAX for a wee while before you jump onto another plane to Vancouver for eg ...

oxnsox

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#584225 20-Feb-2012 22:26

shadybrothers: I'm considering the membership as it's fairly cheap. Pity you can't take a guest to the heathrow partner lounge.

Question around the LAX lounge, what do they mean by no access available "when in transit"?
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/international-lounge-directory

Since the events of 9/11 all transit passengers get herded into a (locked) gate lounge at LAX, to stop you running wildly off into American and doing Naughtyness.

It's a normal departure gate type lounge, but has a small section screened off for GOLD card holders. It has a drinks fridge and some typical American snacks, but Koru card members aren't allowed in.

But the best bit is that even though you're in-transit, and don't intend to enter the USA, you still need to complete the entry documentation, have you photo taken, and your thumb prints, before you're allowed into the holding area.

And put up with the inane questions from the immigration official; "Why are you coming to America sir?"

mckenndk

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#584226 20-Feb-2012 22:28

oxnsox:
shadybrothers: I'm considering the membership as it's fairly cheap. Pity you can't take a guest to the heathrow partner lounge.

Question around the LAX lounge, what do they mean by no access available "when in transit"?
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/international-lounge-directory

Since the events of 9/11 all transit passengers get herded into a (locked) gate lounge at LAX, to stop you running wildly off into American and doing Naughtyness.

It's a normal departure gate type lounge, but has a small section screened off for GOLD card holders. It has a drinks fridge and some typical American snacks, but Koru card members aren't allowed in.

But the best bit is that even though you're in-transit, and don't intend to enter the USA, you still need to complete the entry documentation, have you photo taken, and your thumb prints, before you're allowed into the holding area.

And put up with the inane questions from the immigration official; "Why are you coming to America sir?"

This is the reason I go via Asia to Europe not America, Hong Kong is alot more relaxing to Transit in.

Dino

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#584249 20-Feb-2012 22:54

oxnsox:
shadybrothers: I'm considering the membership as it's fairly cheap. Pity you can't take a guest to the heathrow partner lounge.

Question around the LAX lounge, what do they mean by no access available "when in transit"?
http://www.airnewzealand.co.nz/international-lounge-directory

Since the events of 9/11 all transit passengers get herded into a (locked) gate lounge at LAX, to stop you running wildly off into American and doing Naughtyness.

It's a normal departure gate type lounge, but has a small section screened off for GOLD card holders. It has a drinks fridge and some typical American snacks, but Koru card members aren't allowed in.

But the best bit is that even though you're in-transit, and don't intend to enter the USA, you still need to complete the entry documentation, have you photo taken, and your thumb prints, before you're allowed into the holding area.

And put up with the inane questions from the immigration official; "Why are you coming to America sir?"

If you are in business class you are allowed to clear immigration and then go back to the lounge. You have to hold to your boarding pass though - if they cut it (as they sometimes do in AKL) then you need to go to the check in area to get a replacement one to go through security back into the terminal.

I've done this before - very handy. I was flying to London, had a shower in the lounge and was having dinner when it was announced the flight was delayed, then everyone allowed to clear immigration. I had a headstart ;)

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